Simulated user interface in mixed reality for haptic effect management

Abstract

Embodiments disclosed herein include a method for managing haptic effects. The method generates a first graphical representation of a first haptic effect generation pattern in a mixed reality environment, wherein the first haptic effect generation pattern comprises factors for generating a first haptic effect at a first haptic device. The method receives a user alteration to the first haptic effect generation pattern from a first user. The method changes the graphical representation based on the user alteration.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A computer-implemented method for managing haptic effects, comprising:
 generating, by one or more processors, a first graphical representation of a first haptic effect generation pattern in a mixed reality environment, wherein the first haptic effect generation pattern comprises factors for generating a first haptic effect at a first haptic device, and the first graphical representation comprises a characteristic representing the first haptic effect; 
 receiving, by one or more processors, a user alteration to the first haptic effect generation pattern from a first user viewing the mixed reality environment, wherein the user alteration comprises a change by the first user to the characteristic representing the first haptic effect; 
 changing, by one or more processors, the characteristic of the graphical representation and the first haptic effect based on the user alteration; and 
 sending the first haptic effect to the first haptic device worn by a second user not viewing the mixed reality environment. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the factors of the first haptic effect generation pattern are selected from the group consisting of: a duration of the haptic effect, a type of haptic feedback, a multi-device haptic feedback, a single-device haptic feedback, a user ID, a life cycle of the first haptic effect, a distance of propagation in the activity surrounding, and a location of haptic effect generation. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising identifying additional haptic devices that can produce the first haptic effect generation pattern. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , initiating the first haptic effect at the first haptic device based on the first haptic effect generation pattern. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4 , further comprising initiating a second haptic effect at a second haptic device operating in the mixed reality environment based on a similarity between the first haptic device and the second haptic device. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising simulating the mixed reality environment as an overlay of an activity surrounding, wherein the activity surrounding comprises a selection from the group consisting of: a machine shop floor, a retail store, a fabrication room, and a manufacturing facility. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 determining a location of the first haptic device; and 
 automatically altering the first haptic effect based on a proximity of the first haptic device to a mobile haptic anchor device. 
 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the user alteration comprises a signal generated by an action of the first user recognized within the mixed reality environment. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising generating a second graphical representation of the first haptic effect generation pattern that is different than the first graphical representation, wherein the first graphical representation is generated for a first user ID and the second graphical representation is generated for a second user ID. 
     
     
       10. A computer program product for managing haptic effects in a mixed reality environment, the computer program product comprising:
 one or more computer-readable storage media and program instructions collectively stored on the one or more computer-readable storage media, the program instructions comprising:
 program instructions to generate a first graphical representation of a first haptic effect generation pattern in a mixed reality environment, wherein the first haptic effect generation pattern comprises factors for generating a first haptic effect at a first haptic device, and the first graphical representation comprises a characteristic representing the first haptic effect; 
 program instructions to receive a user alteration to the first haptic effect generation pattern from a first user viewing the mixed reality environment, wherein the user alteration comprises a change by the first user to the characteristic representing the first haptic effect; 
 program instructions to change the characteristics of the graphical representation and the first haptic effect based on the user alteration; and 
 program instruction to send the first haptic effect to the first haptic device worn by a second user not viewing the mixed reality environment. 
 
 
     
     
       11. The computer program product of  claim 10 , wherein the first haptic effect generation pattern comprises factors selected from the group consisting of: a duration of haptic, a type of haptic feedback, a multi-device haptic feedback, a single-device haptic feedback, a user ID, a life cycle of the first haptic effect, a distance of propagation in the activity surrounding, and a location of haptic effect generation. 
     
     
       12. The computer program product of  claim 10 , further comprising program instructions to initiate the first haptic effect at the first haptic device based on the first haptic effect generation pattern. 
     
     
       13. The computer program product of  claim 12 , further comprising program instructions to initiate a second haptic effect at a second haptic device operating in the mixed reality environment based on a similarity between the first haptic device and the second haptic device. 
     
     
       14. The computer program product of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 program instructions to determine a location of the first haptic device; and 
 program instructions to automatically alter the first haptic effect based on a proximity of the first haptic device to a mobile haptic anchor device. 
 
     
     
       15. The computer program product of  claim 10 , further comprising program instructions to generate a second graphical representation of the first haptic effect generation pattern that is different than the first graphical representation, wherein the first graphical representation is generated for a first user ID and the second graphical representation is generated for a second user ID. 
     
     
       16. A computer system for managing haptic effects, the computer system comprising:
 one or more computer processors, one or more computer-readable storage media, and program instructions stored on the computer-readable storage media for execution by at least one of the one or more computer processors, the program instructions comprising:
 program instructions to generate a first graphical representation of a first haptic effect generation pattern in a mixed reality environment, wherein the first haptic effect generation pattern comprises factors for generating a first haptic effect at a haptic device, and the first graphical representation comprises a characteristic representing the first haptic effect; 
 program instructions to receive a user alteration to the first haptic effect generation pattern from a first user viewing the mixed reality environment, wherein the user alteration comprises a change by the first user to the characteristic representing the first haptic effect; 
 program instructions to change the characteristics of the graphical representation and the first haptic effect based on the user alteration; and 
 program instructions to send the first haptic effect to the first haptic device worn by a second user not viewing the mixed reality environment. 
 
 
     
     
       17. The computer system of  claim 16 , further comprising program instructions to initiate the first haptic effect at the first haptic device based on the first haptic effect generation pattern. 
     
     
       18. The computer system of  claim 17 , further comprising program instructions to initiate a second haptic effect at a second haptic device operating in the mixed reality environment based on a similarity between the first haptic device and the second haptic device. 
     
     
       19. The computer system of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 program instructions to determine a location of the first haptic device; and 
 program instructions to automatically alter the first haptic effect based on a proximity of the first haptic device to a mobile haptic anchor device. 
 
     
     
       20. The computer system of  claim 16 , further comprising program instructions to generate a second graphical representation of the first haptic effect generation pattern that is different than the first graphical representation, wherein the first graphical representation is generated for a first user ID and the second graphical representation is generated for a second user ID.